Best Compression Drivers today 2022?

The thing about the jbl2450 is that it is essentially a 1.5" (2451) with a throat adapter. Is that the case with the 18 sounds driver? I don't know... I can't find any information on the existence of a 2" exit version, anymore.... I once could, but at this time, no...Even when I could find info on the 2" version I never seen it actually for sale so.... I don't know what to say lol... It is possibly only available outside my country
I have ND4015BE (1.5") and don't recall any signs of the peak at 18kHz or signs of breakup until well over 20kHz
The measurement shows a 2" exit version
 
I am not here to say that the Axi2050 is; The best 2" compression driver ever... btw.
I am just sharing what I know. I believe that it is one of the best drivers of today.
AudioExpress used to have the 950pb Be reviewed, now its gone or maybe I made it up.... reminds me of the Jbl m2 measurements Erins Audio corner took down... I'll see if I cataloged it on the computer.
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18sounds 2064

Radian 950pb
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Another Axi measurement;
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the ND4015BE 2inch is the same motor than the 1.5 exit with an adapter same for the 1480 and the 2080 .

i had a 18sounds NSD3 N mounted on a 1.4inch SEOS and was not pleased with the sound needed to much correction to have the high frequency right. if i will buy one again i will take the Aluminium version ..
 
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The thing about the jbl2450 is that it is essentially a 1.5" (2451) with a throat adapter. Is that the case with the 18 sounds driver? I don't know... I can't find any information on the existence of a 2" exit version, anymore.... I once could, but at this time, no...Even when I could find info on the 2" version I never seen it actually for sale so.... I don't know what to say lol... It is possibly only available outside my country

The measurement shows a 2" exit version
A throat adapter for SL (SnoutLess) driver is not a good idea. The point of this type of driver + horn is very fast flair rate. More tenchical information is here:

Technical Note Volume 1 Number 21JBL Professionalhttps://jblpro.com › site_elements › tech-note-new...
 
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https://www.lean-business.co.uk/esh...-p-3131.html?zenid=avcv3v8r9qa2tu57sokif25h91

It still is a 1,5" in my eyes, just using the 18s 1,5" to 2" adapters, similar to Radians 950 (1,4"), Tad 4002 (39mm) etc.
Technically who knows which term is more correct, as your buying a 2" driver if it comes factory mounted 🙂

As for the JBL 2450H it has the "snout", but the 2450H was the first version, also there is no horn mounting bolts in the faceplate below.
Meyer Sound started converting they're 2450H to throatless 1,5" by removing the snout and making mounting holes etc (MS-2001).
And thereafter the 2451 and 2450SL appeared, if memory serves me right.
 
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I can't argue yes or no at this point. The same difference is had between the jbl 2450 and 2451 for example. I never knew this to be the case with the Radian 950 vs 951!
No worries about the Axi being a true 2" exit though. The increase in LF effiency is welcome. I personally do not feel as I am missing something in the top end. I will definitely A and B my horn against a 1" tweeter at some point but the increase in accuracy everywhere else along with single point reproduction from 20khz-200hz along with the headroom, seems to work well for me. I would like to compare to something like the Dutch 8c from 200hz up.
It still is a 1,5" in my eyes, just using the 18s 1,5" to 2" adapters, similar to Radians 950 (1,4"), Tad 4002 (39mm) etc.
 
JBL's "Coherent Wave" phase plug, introduced with the 2450 2" compression driver in - IIRC - 1989, pretty much solved that issue... when the 2450 is equipped with a Truextent Beryllium diaphragm that does not go into break-up until well past 20kHz, the wavefront stays tidy all the way to the top.

Neither the coherent wave phase plug, nor the beryllium diaphragm, does affect the cavity resonances in front of the phase plug. JBL has in no way solved this, but in their ring radiators, they are a fair bit closer than in their dome diaphragm annular phase plug drivers.
 
https://www.lean-business.co.uk/esh...-p-3131.html?zenid=avcv3v8r9qa2tu57sokif25h91

It still is a 1,5" in my eyes, just using the 18s 1,5" to 2" adapters, similar to Radians 950 (1,4"), Tad 4002 (39mm) etc.
Technically who knows which term is more correct, as your buying a 2" driver if it comes factory mounted 🙂

As for the JBL 2450H it has the "snout", but the 2450H was the first version, also there is no horn mounting bolts in the faceplate below.
Meyer Sound started converting they're 2450H to throatless 1,5" by removing the snout and making mounting holes etc (MS-2001).
And thereafter the 2451 and 2450SL appeared, if memory serves me right.
You nailed it! The 2" version is exactly the 1.5 version with the adapter shown. There is also another adapter available 1.5" to 1.4". I have both so many options are possible. But the 2" adapter has a quite rapid flare not suitable imo when attached to "traditional" horns.
 
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I am so confused by that review. Firstly, 4015 means 4 inch diaphragm and 1,5 inch exit. I have never found a 2,0 inch versjon called 4015. Looking at the images, one can clearly see that the exit is significantly smaller than the entry of the horn. Looking at the curves, it is maybe what I would have expected if a 1,5 inch driver was bolted on a 2 inch horn.

It is tempting to believe that Mr VD has made a mistake that time.
 
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Thanks for asking. My experience with multis and drivers isn't too extensive, but I have owned and/or listened to the metal 1505, wooden replica 1505, 1005, tar filled 1005, 803, 203. Here is a list of drivers I remember ranked in order of preference.
Hi Pano, would you mind ranking the multicells also?
I'm particularly interested in your opinion or preference between metal 1505 and wooden replica 1505.
Thanks in advance 🙂